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Fathers of Faith

Being a father in today’s world is very challenging. With the rise of broken families, decreasing parenting skills, and a number of other reasons, the “art of fathering” seems to be on the decline across our country. Yet with the father’s role so important let’s take a few moments and reflect on what God has to say about fatherhood.

Fathers Need Help

Slowly our society has lost respect for the role of fathers. As a result, it is time we as believers, support those men who are actively fathering among us. We are to pray for them, encourage them, and give them help as they are doing a task that will shape our country for generations to come.

Kids Are Watching

Children are watching what fathers do. In fact, several significant studies show that children pick up on the spirituality of their father more than their mother. Of course, mothers are quick to teach children about God. However, children seem to assume that mothers do that naturally. As a result, they tend to take cues about life vision regarding Christianity from how their fathers are responding. If it’s important to their dads, it has a greater chance of being important to them.

Our Heavenly Model

With fatherhood on the decline throughout America, the lack of good role models is a growing problem. So many new fathers claim the reason that they struggle is that they did not have a good father themselves. Fortunately, we can look beyond our earthly father to our Heavenly Father. He is the perfect Father in every way—loving, kind, full of wisdom, and one who will help us achieve all he has in mind for us.

Wisdom From Above

The Bible is the world’s greatest wisdom book. The 31 chapters in Proverbs are completely filled with wisdom—much of it having to do with relationships. Some of these relationships deal directly with fathers and children. Our encouragement for you is to be digging out wisdom with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Making A Start

Fatherhood is a challenge for several reasons. First, we do not get a practice round. From the moment our children arrive, we’re on call as their fathers until we leave planet earth. Our goal is to shape them to be strong able citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, the earthly community, and our their families. Not one man I know ever felt up to the task when he started.

Making Memories

It’s been said that good dads make memories. I agree wholeheartedly. I think my children would agree as well. Good dads tend to do special things from time to time that change children’s lives. These might include teaching them a sport or activity, taking them somewhere special, being a solid rock in times of trouble, providing special things, etc. After almost 40 years of raising children, my own 5 children talk about memories more than anything else.

Making Up The Difference

Here’s the good news, our Father in Heaven never demanded that we raise perfect kids. He asks us to love them, shape them, mold them, and make them mighty citizens of the world in which they live. He has promised to fill in the missing parts. This is the part of the equation that makes parenting so worth it. Of course, it does take a relationship with Him to know how to draw from His resources.

Our Long Term Goals

Ultimately, we are actually the stewards of children. Yes, our Father God enabled us to be co-creators with Him. In fact, we co-create with Him over the first 20 years of their lives as we build in them an understanding of who the Heavenly Father is, who Jesus is, and how the Holy Spirit can help. At the same time, we’re teaching them how to walk in the ways of the Kingdom. In reality, our children belong to our Father in Heaven. Our job is to make help them to become all that He has called them to be. After they leave home, we get the joy of being their number one cheerleaders.

Hats Off To Fathers

I salute all of you who are in the middle of fathering your children. I ask that God bless and prosper you with wisdom, insight, and courage as you fulfill this role.

Hi and welcome! I'm Happy. My wife Dianne and I are the founders of the Vineyard Church of Central Illinois, a multi-site church with 6 campus locations.
Over the last 30+ years, I have learned alot about leadership in life and leading a church. I have made some mistakes and had some successes. I look forward to sharing the wisdom I have learned with you.
I strive everyday to see Jesus as bigger, better, and more beautiful. And I am wholeheartedly committed to the ministry Jesus promised his followers in John 14:12: to be able to do the same and greater works through the power of the Holy Spirit.